09/01/09

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Rosalie L. Neumayer, avid Bingo player
Rosalie L. (Gange) Neumayer, 71, of Lewes, passed away peacefully at her residence Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009. She was born March 27, 1938, in Baltimore, Md., daughter of the late Salvatore and Sophia (Ustasieuski) Gange.
Mrs. Neumayer moved to the beach from Baltimore six years ago. She was an avid Bingo player, enjoyed playing cards and pinball machines, shopping and taking long trips. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and she dearly loved her cat Puss Puss.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Vanessa Fabian and Linda Holland; and two brothers, Frank and Salvatore Gange. She is survived by her two daughters, Gloria Shoemaker of Selbyville and Jacqueline Vandervort and her husband Jerry of Pasadena, Md.; two sons, Edward Holland and wife Candy of Bel Air, Md., and Robert Holland and wife Tricia of Lewes; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Maryann Thompson and husband Junior of Baltimore.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2, at St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, King Charles Avenue and Laurel Street, Rehoboth Beach. Friends may call at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Tunnell Cancer Center, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, or to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

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Earl L. Godwin, retired phone employee
Earl L. Godwin, 82, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, in Delaware Hospice Center, Milford.
He was born in Pottstown, Pa., son of the late Horace L. Godwin and Margaret Quinter Godwin. Mr. Godwin served in the Army and was a radio officer in the Merchant Marine during World War II and the Korean War. He worked for the telephone company and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and past president of Caesar Rodney Council. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elsie Littleton Godwin; three brothers, Albert, James and Edwin Godwin; and one sister, Betty Godwin. He is survived by five siblings, William, Walter and Robert Godwin, all of Georgetown; and two sisters, Anna Godwin and Kate Godwin, both of Laurel; one stepdaughter, Shirley Gooden; two stepgrandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Burial and services will be private with interment in Union Cemetery, Georgetown. Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.

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Eugene W. Spatz, entrepreneur
Eugene “Gene” Wilmer Spatz, 57, of Millsboro, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
Gene was born in Reading, Pa. He was a graduate of Mt. Penn High School, Pa. He and his family relocated to Delaware in 1979.
Gene was an auto mechanic and self-employed entrepreneur. He owned and managed Gene’s Gulf Fuel and Service Station in Millsboro and Redden Auto Center in Georgetown, and also was an independent owner and operator of E.W. Spatz Trucking.
In his spare time he enjoyed traveling and hanging out with friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilmer Spatz.
Gene is survived by his mother Patricia of Reinholds, Pa.; his wife Barbara Spatz; stepdaughter Samantha Bishop and step-grandson Ricky Kauffman Jr. of Elm, N.J.; son Jeffrey Spatz of Lincoln, son of Susan Calabrese-Lewis; siblings Sheila A. Doran (Rodger) of Douglasville, Pa., Donna K. Glover (Peter) of Denver, Pa., Linda M. Broome (Ken) of Harrisburg, Pa., Kerry L. Spatz, Reinholds, Pa.; two nieces; two nephews and one great-niece.
A gathering to remember Gene will be held at the Milford Elks Lodge No. 2401 at 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 6.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eugene W. “Gene” Spatz Fund, c/o Jeffrey Spatz, 11089 Dove Drive, Lincoln, DE 19960.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Long Neck.

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Donald Mitchell, Rehoboth firefighter
Donald Mitchell, 54, of Rehoboth Beach, died peacefully, surrounded by his family Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford.
Mr. Mitchell was currently working for Sherwood Ford of Salisbury, Md., where he had been employed as a sales representative for the past 10 years. He was a life member of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company where he was currently serving his third term as president.
He was devoted to his grandchildren, enjoyed traveling, bowling and playing golf.
He is survived by his wife, Nano Sullivan Mitchell; his mother, Shirley Lorraine Shorthose Mitchell; a son, Donald Edward “DonDon” Mitchell Jr. of Rehoboth Beach; a daughter, Katherine “Katy” Catts of Rehoboth Beach; brothers, Richard C. and Daniel Joseph Mitchell, both of Rehoboth Beach; a sister, Shellie Simmons and husband William of Rehoboth Beach; grandchildren, Morgan, Ashley and Blake Catts of Rehoboth Beach; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
He was predeceased by his father Richard C. “Dick” Mitchell Sr.
Funeral services with full fireman’s honors will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 1. Burial will be at Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Rehoboth Beach.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to Rehoboth Beach Vol. Fire Dept., Station 2 Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 327, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971; or to the Tunnell Cancer Center, 424 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

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Kelly Tyrrell Gill, art teacher
Kelly Arlene Tyrrell Gill, 38, of Greenwood, passed away at her home Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.
Kelly was a gifted artist and was employed as an art teacher at Milford High School, where she also coached field hockey and softball. She had previously taught art at W.T. Chipman Middle School where she also coached field hockey and led the team in an undefeated season in 1993. She won many coaching awards for softball and field hockey travel teams. Kelly was also involved with coordinating both indoor and outdoor hockey leagues for children and adults.
Kelly was an outstanding leader to many students. She was also employed by Forever Fit as a Pilates instructor and personal trainer. She was instrumental in developing Night of the Arts.
Kelly attended Crossroads Community Church and Eagle’s Nest Fellowship Church.
Kelly is survived by her husband of three years, Robert A. Gill II; her precious 17-month-old daughter, Kylee McKenzie Gill; and her ward and goddaughter, Cora Gerardi Slaughter and her son, Ashton, both of Harrington. She is also survived by her mother, Ruth Ann Tyrrell, of Milford; father and stepmother, Everett and Lee Tyrrell, of Lincoln; a brother and sister-in-law, Everett (Bud) and Felicia Tyrrell, and niece, Isabella Tyrrell, all of Milford; and two stepbrothers, Jon Terry and family of Seaford and Cris Terry and family of Blades. She leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who loved her dearly.
In addition to her family, she is survived by her coworkers at Milford High School, church family and numerous special friends who surrounded her with endless acts of kindness and support throughout her illness.
Kelly will always be remembered as a special woman for her gifts of talent, strength, caring and love for all. She will be deeply missed and will be forever loved by all. Kelly left an amazing footprint on this earth.
A funeral service was held Sunday, Aug. 30, in the chapel of Eagle’s Nest Fellowship Church, Milton, with burial in St. Johnstown Cemetery in Greenwood.
Arrangements handled by Berry-Short Funeral Homes, Milford.

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Sgt. Bruce DeHart Jr., decorated veteran
Sgt. First Class Bruce A. DeHart Jr., U.S. Army retired with over 20 years of service, 68, of Millsboro, and formerly of Hummelstown, Pa., passed away Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, after a valiant battle with cancer.
Mr. DeHart served with the 1/9th Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966. He was the recipient of the Army Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal with the V distinguishing device for Valor and the numeral 12 to designate 12 awards. Mr. DeHart was employed with GPU and True Temper Tools after his retirement.
Mr. DeHart is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth, and her three children, Rose Anne Bennett of Hummelstown, Ted Dankanich of Elizabethtown, Pa., and Michael Dankanich of Lewisberry, Pa.; his sons, Howard of Middletown, Pa., and Jayme of New Cumberland, Pa.; daughter Elaine of Wrightsville, Pa.; mother, Ella Kocevar and sister Donna Dillon of Temple, Pa.; and sister Barbara Easterday of Laureldale, Pa.; and brothers Peter Kocevar of Millsboro and Henry Kocevar of Chesapeake, Va. He is also survived by a large extended family of grandchildren, aunt, uncle, nieces, nephews and cousins as well as a very close-knit group of AirCav troopers.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Hoover Funeral Home, Rt. 422 and Lucy Avenue, Hershey, Pa., where friends may call after 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Indiantown Gap National Veterans Cemetery in Annville, Pa.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Bruce’s memory to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Local arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Millsboro.

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John Barr Ward III, accident victim
John Barr Ward III, 33, passed away Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in an untimely death due to an automobile accident involving another car.
John was born in Chester, Pa. He attended schools in Coatesville, Pa., and Delaware Tech in Georgetown. John worked for Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning in Harbeson and was previously employed at Leers in Newark, Chrysler in Newark, and Casella’s in Long Neck. John was a loving husband and father. He was also a great Philadelphia sports fan.
John was the beloved husband of the late Joy Ward (nee Longo); father of Hailey Ward and the late Sarah Ward; beloved son of Chip and Gail Ward, and Toni Crist; grandson of the late Marion and Raymond Crist, and Clara Ward and the late John Barr Ward Sr.; and beloved brother of Michael Ward, Bruce Vesey and Christine Ward.
A funeral service was held at the Lewes Church of Christ, Milton. Interment followed at Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton. Donations may be made to the surviving child, Hailey Marie Ward Fund, c/o Wilmington Trust Bank, 31860 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, DE 19966. Arrangements made by Bateman Funeral Home, Brookhaven, Pa.

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Joy Liane Longo Ward, devoted mother
Joy Liane Longo Ward, 32, passed away Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in an untimely death due to an automobile accident involving another car.
Joy was born in Milmont Park, Pa. She attended St. Agnes in West Chester, Pa., Avon Grove schools, McKean High School and the Coatesville Vo-Tech School of Cosmetology. Joy worked at Bad Hair Day MedSpa and Salon in Lewes and was previously employed at other beauty salons in the Sussex County and Newark areas. Joy loved her husband, children and Aerosmith.
Joy was the beloved wife of the late John Barr Ward III; mother of Hailey Ward and the late Sarah Ward; precious daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth Longo, and Dolores and Robert Rubolin; granddaughter of Anthony and Madeline Malerba, and Velia Spencer and the late Salvatore Longo; and beloved sister of Daniel Rubolin, Blaine Jacoby, Glenn Ford, Robyn Rubolin, Jennifer Jacoby and Rachel Ford.
A funeral service was held at the Lewes Church of Christ, Milton. Interment followed at Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton. Donations may be made to the surviving child, Hailey Marie Ward Fund, c/o Wilmington Trust Bank, 31860 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, DE 19966. Arrangements made by Bateman Funeral Home, Brookhaven, Pa.

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Sarah Justine Ward, loving daughter
Sarah Justine Ward, 14, passed away Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in an untimely death due to an automobile accident involving another car.
Sarah was born in Newark. She attended Long Neck Elementary School, Sussex Central Middle School, and was to enter high school this September. She was a member of the Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club. She loved her family, pets, friends and fashion.
Sarah was the beloved daughter of the late John Barr Ward III and Joy Ward; sister of Hailey Ward; granddaughter of Dolores and Robert Rubolin, Anthony and Elizabeth Longo, Chip and Gail Ward, and Toni Crist. She is also survived by several aunts and uncles.
A funeral service was held at the Lewes Church of Christ, Milton. Interment followed at Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton. Donations may be made to the surviving child, Hailey Marie Ward Fund, c/o Wilmington Trust Bank, 31860 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, DE 19966. Arrangements made by Bateman Funeral Home, Brookhaven, Pa.

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Anna S. Hawk, devoted homemaker
Anna S. Hawk, 97, of Seaford, passed away Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, at LifeCare at Lofland Park, Seaford.
Born in Jamaica, N.Y., she was the daughter of Axel and Hulda Illstrom Hallengren. She was a devoted homemaker, staying home to take care of her four children as well as help out on the family farm. She was a member of the Smithville Homemakers Club and Todd’s Chapel Church.
Mrs. Hawk is survived by three daughters, Marlene Mervine of Bridgeville, Carolyn DePew-Swayze and her husband David of Dagsboro, and Deborah Rogers of Rehoboth; and one son, Charles E. Hawk and his wife Sharon of Bridgeville. She is also survived by four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
At LifeCare, Sadie Calloway was her roommate, and Anna’s family is thankful for their special friendship. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl S. Hawk who passed away Dec. 31, 1961; three sisters, Mildred Fretterd, Marie Bailey and Ella Illstrom; one brother, Frederick Hallengren; and a granddaughter, Mary Alisa Krischel. Funeral services were conducted at Williamson Funeral Home, 311 South Main St., Federalsburg, Md., with Dr. Everett Isaacs officiating. Interment was at Bloomery Cemetery, Federalsburg.
Those who desire may make contributions in her memory to Bloomery Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, 26541 Possum Hill Road, Federalsburg, MD 21632; or to LifeCare at Lofland Park Activity Fund, 715 E. King St., Seaford, DE 19973.

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Aleatha H. Short, retired teacher
Aleatha H. Short, 81, of Millsboro, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
Mrs. Short was born Jan. 1, 1928, in Wattsville, Va., to the late Cordonzal and Mary Elizabeth Holland Waters.
Mrs. Short was a third-grade teacher at the Frankford Elementary School for many years.
She was a member of the Harmony United Methodist Church, Millsboro where she served on the board of trustees and finance committee.
She served on the board of People’s Memorial Park; served on the board of trustees of Millsboro Village Development; was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority of Delaware State University, a member of the VFW Post 10638 Auxiliary, a member of the Lord Baltimore chapter of Lions Club Auxiliary, a member of the Red Hat Society, and she was responsible for and loved running the Saturday Academy, a learning program for children.
Mrs. Short is survived by a son, Gregory H. Short of Millsboro; a sister, Geraldine Beckett of Millsboro; nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harrison Short, in 1994; and a son, Myron Short, in 1962.
A service will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Harmony U.M. Church, Route 24 east of Millsboro, where friends may call at noon.
The Rev. Claudia Waters will officiate the service.
Friends may also call from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro.
Interment will be at the People’s Memorial Park, Route 1 at Midway, following the service.